Title: Lhasbelin o Uir
Author: Aithilin (nimcuran_aithilin@hotmail.com)
Rating: R
Pairing: Elrohir/Legolas, and a touch of Elladan/Legolas
Warnings: slash, weird, altered timelines
Summary: Legolas and the twins visit the North, taking a look in 
Annuminas while they're there.
Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be, leave me alone.
A/N: This actually popped into my head during parenting class 
(easy credit, I don't want kids, I'm screwed up enough)while I was 
holding a friend's copy of The Two Towers hostage while he read a 
Vasquez comic.

***********************************************************************

"Have you seen Legolas? He's a blonde Elf, came with Est-erh, 
Aragorn."

Another soldier shook his head in response to Elrohir's question. 
The younger twin looked to his brother. It seemed that they had 
been all over Minas Tirith in search of their friend once the battle 
ended. Aragorn was in the Hall of Healing; Gimli with Merry and 
Pippin, on the same search the twins were; and all others were 
working on repairing the White City to notice.

Elrohir sat on a curb, putting his head in his hands. "Where is he? 
Legolas would've shown up by now."

Elladan sighed and saw that they were near the front gates again. 
People were still bringing in the wounded, and others were carrying 
the dead. There were still thousands of bodies on the battlefield, a 
black mass covering the grass that once had to have grown.

"El'...I think we should take a look on the field..."

Elrohir looked up, "He couldn't be...No. Legolas is too good a 
warrior, he wouldn't fall during this battle."

Elladan knelt by his brother, "But he may be wounded. These 
people are too slow and are looking for any that live. I last saw our 
friend near the gates...a long way out."

The younger twin nodded slowly, following his brother past the Men 
coming to and from the bloody field.

*******************

The twins moved as carefully as they could over the field. There 
was hardly any place they could step without another body filling 
the space. Elladan hoped they would be done here soon, the sight 
of the mutilated Men, some burned, some so destroyed that they 
were no longer recognizable, was disturbing. Elrohir was searching, 
almost frantically, and Elladan couldn't blame him. They had known 
Legolas since the blonde was a child.

The elder twin knew that his brother's feeling for Legolas went far 
beyond friendship, and he had easily succumbed to his friend's 
adorable charms as well. But Elladan had released any thoughts on 
attaining the blonde, leaving Legolas to his brother. But that resolve 
had crumbled when he saw the younger Elf again, first in Rivendell, 
and again earlier, joining in the War.

His thoughts were broken by Elrohir's cry as the twin took off to a 
spot a few metres from where they were. The younger twin knelt 
after pushing the heavy body of an orc away. As Elladan came 
closer, he gasped, Legolas was lying on the blood-soaked ground, 
the tip of an orcish sword that had broken off was embedded in his 
shoulder. The blonde's eyes were closed and his chest still.

***********************************************************************

Elrohir tried to pull Legolas closer to him, the young blonde's legs 
trapped beneath another orc. "Come on, Thranduilion. Please, you 
must wake." Elladan immediately noticed the wound on Legolas' 
right arm as well and laid a gentle hand on his brother's shoulder to 
still him. "His arm is broken. Do not jar him."

The younger twin stopped, seeming to no longer recognize 
anything but his friend in his arms. After a few seconds of Elladan 
going over Legolas' wounds, Elrohir's voice sounded, small and 
childish.

"He's not breathing....Elladan..."

Elladan closed his eyes, "We are too far from the city, and further 
yet from Estel's healing...Elrohir-"

"No. Please, we cannot just give up on him. Help me."

Elrohir had taken his dagger out of the sheath on his belt and was 
bringing it to his arm when Elladan stopped him.

"Are you mad?! What do you think you're doing?"

Elrohir jerked his arm away, "You know as well as I that he is dying! 
I must try something. I must bond with him. Please, Elladan, I must 
do this."

Elladan hesitated before pulling his hand away, Elrohir muttered a 
'thank you' and slid the knife over his palm, drawing blood 
immediately. Doing the same on Legolas' hand, the younger twin 
brought their hands together.

"Please, accept this, Little Leaf," Elrohir said softly. "Please, I 
couldn't live without you in Arda to annoy me."

There was a weak cough from the blonde and Elrohir continued. 
"Please, Legolas, I love you...."

Elladan saw that while Legolas was breathing again, he was still 
too weak to make it any further than the gates. He picked up the 
forgotten dagger and slid it over his palm, carefully bringing it 
across Legolas' wounded arm. His eyes met his brother's sadly, 
"You are not the only one to love this imp."

Elrohir smiled and leaned over Legolas again. "Can you feel us 
Legolas? We're both here, please be strong."

Elladan lay a gentle kiss on Legolas' brow, feeling the pulse moving 
strongly now beneath his hand. Keeping his hand over the cut to 
finish his bonding, the elder twin lifted the slighter blonde and they 
started back to the city, as fast as they dared.

***********************************************************************

Legolas opened his eyes slowly, ajusting to the light as best he 
could. His head ached and there was a bitter taste in his mouth. A 
pain in his right arm was just a dull throb, while his legs seemed to 
ache. Experimentally, he tried to move his arm, the dull throb 
becoming a sharp pain until he relaxed it once more. Legolas 
searched the room he was in for any markings he might recognize.

The bed he was in was large, and the covers falling halfway up his 
bandaged chest. There was a sweet-smelling patch beneath the 
bandages on his shoulder and a bowl of burning incense on the 
windowsill nearby. The smoke was blown into the room with the 
light breeze, filling the seemingly small room with a soft smell of 
rose petals and dew. The fresh linen of the bandages and the 
covers gave Legolas a sense of cleanliness, noticing that he had 
been bathed as well.

Relaxing again, the Elf's ears twitched at the sounds of people 
entering. "So you are finally awake," Aragorn's voice was the first to 
reach him. 

Legolas turned his head slightly to watch his friends approach. The 
twins and Gimli were with the Man. "You've been sleeping for three 
days."

Legolas tried to speak, but his dry throat demanded a cough first. 
Elladan went to the small table across the room and poured water 
from a pitcher Legolas hadn't noticed before into a small glass. The 
elder twin sat on the edge of the bed and helped Legolas sit up, 
supporting the blonde with one arm. Legolas drank the water while 
Aragorn looked him over. Gimli sat on the chair by the bed, relaying 
stories from the repairing of the front walls. Elrohir took a place 
against a wall, watching everything siilently.

"I want you to stay in bed," Aragorn said. "And no, I will not make 
any exceptions. Another three days, then I'll see."

"Ara-"

Aragorn gave the Elf his best 'I'm in charge' look and Legolas 
quieted.  Gimli chuckled and patted his friend's leg. "Don't worry 
lad, you'll be up and about in no time."

Aragorn ushered the Dwarf out, leaving the twins with Legolas. 
Elrohir took Gimli's former seat.

"Legolas..." the younger twin started.

"We have something you really need to know," Elladan finished.

Legolas looked between the two, seeing their uncertainty.

Elrohir took a deep breath, "We found you on the battlefield, almost 
dead. We didn't think you'd make it further than the gates of the 
city...So, I, we, bonded with you..."

The twins waited, wanting Legolas to react in a way they knew they 
could handle. After a minute of silence, Elladan started.

"I know we shouldn't have, but you were dying, and we...It can be 
broken when you're well..."

Legolas saw the shadow of grief pass over the twins' eyes when 
this was said. He couldn't deny that he had long thought of the two 
in ways more than brotherly, but they were older than him by 
millennia, and he had thought that they would never want him. Not 
since they knew him as a child. How long had he wanted the two to 
pay attention to him in such a light?

"Why? Why did you?" Legolas finally managed, his throat was still 
hoarse and Elladan got more water, setting the pitcher on the 
windowsill this time.

Elrohir swallowed, "You were dying..."

Legolas shook his head, "No. I am eternally grateful for that, but I 
must know why."

Elrohir looked down and Elladan hesitated. "Legolas...We ~like~ 
you. Love you...I know that if you don't-"

Legolas looked to Elrohir for confirmation, "Elrohir?"

The younger twin could only manage a small nod. Legolas laughed 
then, startling the two. "Since I was young...and you both?" The 
twins looked at each other, then back at Legolas. The blonde Elf 
gripped Elrohir's hand and smiled kindly.

"Of course I accept this binding," He looked at Elladan. "I can think 
of no one else that I'd wish to spend an eternity with."

***************
[A/N: That was cheesy eh?]
***************

The twins had stayed with Legolas for the required days Aragorn 
had ordered the blonde rest. Gimli came in periodically with a meal 
for them to share, staying long enough to relate any news to them. 
Merry and Pippin had visited, talking quickly about their findings in 
the city before rushing off to wherever else they had promised to 
be. Sam and Faramir had visited twice, both relating a few events 
and talking easily. Aragorn was a regular visitor, giving a quick 
check up to Legolas before sitting to talk with them.

Now, even the twins were eager to have Legolas out and about so 
they could show him the city. Aragorn had relented, asking that 
they at least returned for the noon meal, he had important news for 
everyone. A day after Aragorn's coronation as King Elessar, and 
the Man was already easing into the position as Legolas had known 
he would. Gandalf, while not visiting when Legolas was bed-ridden, 
was waiting for them outside the room.

The twins wore similar attire, as always. Legolas' was suited to him. 
Though his clothes had been cleaned and repaired, the twins had 
found him a long, deep green velvet over shirt, a softer brown one, 
similar to the cloth the Wood-Elf was accustomed to, and a simple 
pair of leggings and new boots. Legolas' right arm still hung in a 
sling against his chest, though Aragorn assured it would be no 
longer than two weeks, Legolas sorely missed his practice and the 
bow of the Galadhrim.

"Well my dear Elf," Gandalf said when Legolas came over. "It 
seems you've had quite the rest, and for good reason too."

The Istar related the day's news as they waited for the twins to 
finish getting ready. Gandalf had reported that Gimli made sure that 
the smithy was up and running in proper order, solely for purposes 
he wished to keep to himself. Of Aragorn's announcement, the 
wizard would say nothing. But he smiled when the twins finally 
made their appearance.

"Now that the three of you are here, let me congratulate you on this 
binding of yours."

Three pairs of eyes looked at the Istar carefully. Gandalf brushed 
them off. "Oh, come now. Aragorn knew for quite a while, though 
the others seem oblivious to the little fact at the moment."

The three smiled then and Gandalf quickly led them out to the fresh 
air. "I also know that you would want to see the first repaired 
garden, Legolas. So there is a picnic waiting for you by the stream 
bank down that path. Gimli mentioned that he would be there to 
take part in the meal with you."

The Istar shooed them off before any protest could be made and 
wandered away to where he had planned to go. True to the word, a 
blanket was set out by the little stream, a basket of food lay in 
preparation, and a Dwarf sat waiting for the guests.

"About time you three showed up," Gimli greeted in his usual gruff 
manner. "Now, hurry up, lest the food cools further."

Legolas sat down, "Aww, Gimli, you went to all this trouble?" The 
Elf teased. Gimli huffed, "Nonsense you half-wit Elf. It was 
Gandalf's idea. I'm babysitting you."

Elrohir chuckled, "You sound like Glorfindel did when Ada made 
him watch us when we were younger."

"I would rather not be compared to an Elf, any Elf, regardless of 
how much of a hero he is."

The three Elves laughed, settling into the meal with Gimli. The 
Dwarf filled the silences with the news he had overheard from 
guards, or from the arrived Dwarves. He related a story that 
Mirkwood had suffered a fire during the War, being under attack 
itself. The Men of Dale, the Dwarves or Erebor, and the Wood-
Elves had apparently worked together to secure the borders, 
creating a hesitant dependance, if not slow-forming friendship. 
Legolas smiled at this.

"So, do you know anything about this announcement Aragorn 
wishes to make at lunch?" Legolas asked his friend, summoning up 
the sweetest voice he had ever used.

Gimli sighed, "Stop that, Legolas. And no, I know as much as you."

"It seems that we'll just have to wait," Elrohir said, just before lying 
back to stare at the slowly moving clouds through the canopy of 
urning leaves. "Can you believe that a year has passed?"

None answered, none knew how. After a while, Gimli stretched, 
rather noisily. "Well, you Elves cam lollygag around all you wish. I 
have work to get back to. I'd say we have, oh, three hours before 
the noon meal."

Legolas smiled and bid Gimli productive work before lying next to 
Elrohir, careful not to move his right arm. He felt Elladan's hand go 
across his waist and smiled. 

"Relax, Legolas. We'll be here when you wake," Elladan said softly. 
Coaxing the blonde into a light rest.

***********************************************************************
I'm taking liberties with Legolas' age, simply because I don't think 
he can be much older than 400-800.
***********************************************************************

Aragorn grinned, "This should be an interesting surprise."

His guests were smiling as well, with a few minutes before he 
expected everyone to be coming. The table was set, and the first of 
the guests, the 'surprises' as Aragorn seemed to enjoy calling them, 
were mostly sitting.

"Will you not sit, Thranduil?" Celeborn asked from his seat, playing 
with the stem of his wine glass.

The Mirkwood King shook his head, "You do not raise an Elf like 
Legolas without the knowledge that you must always be standing 
when you first see him after a long separation. Lest he knock you, 
and your chair, over."

There was a round of laughter and Elrond gave his friend a rare sly 
look. "I suppose there is a story behind that. Perhaps one that 
would come out later tonight when we enjoy the company of our 
children and friends."

Thranduil smirked, "Of course, but I've heard many similar tales of 
the twins."

Celeborn grinned, "That, I must hear later. Really, the boys are 
always so well behaved."

Aragorn and Elrond both gave Celeborn a strange look before 
turning to the door. There was an almost immediate triple cry of 
'ADA!' and both Elrond and Thranduil found their arms filled with 
their sons. The room was quickly filled with happy talking and the 
light clatter of the guests helping themselves to the meal laid before 
them. Aragorn explained that his wedding would be in a week, and 
that Elrond was steadfastly making sure everything went 
accordingly to his daughter's plans. Gimli had yet to make his 
appearance.

"Nimelen has come as well," Thranduil said to his son. Vaguely 
aware of the twins nearby. "He has gained leave to not only repair 
the gardens of Minas Tirith, but to begin a colony in Southern 
Ithilien."

Legolas smiled and sipped his wine. "That is good. He should enjoy 
it."

Thranduil smiled and placed a feather light touch on Legolas' bound 
right arm. "You've surpassed any and all expectations, my Little 
Greenleaf. I am very proud of you, all of Eryn Lasgalen is."

Legolas grinned at hearing the new name for his forest home. 
"Ada..."

All turned to see the late arrival of Gimli. The Dwarf bowed, 
"Forgive my tardiness, there seemed to have been a bit of trouble 
with the mithril I was using at the forge."

Aragorn nodded, "Well, I think the Hobbits eating your share of the 
meal is enough penance. Come, Gimli, enjoy what is left."

They all caught the wary look Thranduil and Gimli gave each other 
and Legolas cleared his throat. "Ada, this is my friend, Gimli."

The Dwarf gave a slight bow and Thranduil suddenly smiled. "Well, 
Master Dwarf, I think I should first appoligize for that mistake 
involving the little group of Dwarves so long ago. And I trust my 
son's judgment enough to know that you must be a stout friend."

Gimli blinked, not expecting that, "Erhmm...Thank you, King 
Thranduil."

The twins were holding back laughs, and the other two Elven-Lords 
present were smiling. All knew Thranduil's reputation for being a 
'cruel and greedy Woodking' was nothing more than an 
exaggeration of Thranduil's fierce protection of his borders and 
people, as well as his appreciation of jewels. In truth, the King was 
a kind man, stern at times, as any father is, and a natural leader 
and protector of his family and anything or one left in his care.

The meal continued on until Aragorn was inevitably called away to 
attend his duties. Celeborn and Elrond wished to see more of the 
city and Merry and Pippin were all too happy to show it to them. 
Sam and Frodo decided that a peaceful walk would do them good. 
Gimli returned to the forge, promising to be on time for the next 
meal. Thranduil suggested that he, Legolas, and the still present 
twins should find a quiet place outside if they wished to continue to 
talk. The King walked a few paces ahead as they moved to the 
outer walls, not intent on any one place. "So I understand that the 
three of you are bonded now."

The twins' steps faltered, unsure of what to say. Thranduil turned 
and looked at them, still smiling. "Though I would have rathered a 
formal courting, and proper measures taken, I see no problem with 
this."

Legolas sighed, sensing similar relief from the twins. Thranduil 
continued, "Elrond sensed it, of course, and we spoke at length. 
Neither sees anything wrong, so you have our blessings."

Legolas put an arm around his father in gratitude and the twins 
hurried to catch up.

**********************

It was well after the sun had set and the moon had risen before the 
group found itself together once more, this time with Gandalf 
among them. Wine was passed about, a fire was lit in the hearth of 
the lounge Aragorn had chosen for them to relax in, and they were 
are quite comfortable, intending to spend the whole of the night, 
awake or not, in each other's company. Even Elrond and Celeborn 
had shed their lordly exteriors in favour of the simple enjoyment.

"I believe you owe me a story, Thranduil," Elrond said from his seat 
in a large chair by the hearth. Thranduil was in a similar chair, and 
Celeborn in another. 

Legolas had his father's gift, a deerskin blanket, as white as snow, 
over him from his place in Elladan's arms, with Elrohir close enough 
to keep one hand on the younger Elf's waist. Their bonding was 
announced early in the evening to those there, causing Aragorn to 
happily use that as an excuse to open the first bottle of wine.

Gandalf sat in a chair by a window, watching and puffing away on 
his pipe. Frodo and Sam were at the table with Merry and Pippin, 
picking fruit off of a platter. Faramir was on the floor in front of the 
hearth, next to Eomer, who had decided to take Aragorn's 
invitation. Aragorn himself was quite happy sitting cross-legged on 
one of the tables (for the lack of chairs and floor space now). All 
eyes turned to Thranduil.

"A story of what, Ada?" Legolas asked.

Thranduil smiled, "Why one must be standing when greeting you, 
Little Greenleaf."

There was a chuckle from Gandalf and a few eyes turned to the 
Istar. "I believe I could recount a few interesting tales of Legolas' 
enthusiasm, myself."

Legolas blushed and nuzzled against Elladan's chest. The Men 
were interested now; Faramir and Eomer not believing that the 
brave Elven Warrior-Prince could act in any way that was not 
dignified. Indeed, they were surprised enough to see the Elf so 
eager to accept a place in the protective embraces of the twins.

Thranduil took a sip of his wine, enjoying the attention. "Well, of 
course, Elrond, you understand that you will need to tell your own 
story of the twins as well." 

There was a nod and a weak chorus of 'Ada' from the three sons in 
question that sent the others into an amused laughter. Thtranduil 
just grinned.

"Perhaps three centuries ago, if I recall correctly, I had made a trip 
to the borders with my second eldest son. Legolas, only 159 and 
barely near his majority, was left in the care of Nimelen, I believe 
you met him earlier. Well, after only two weeks of absence, I chose 
to dismount from my steed before reaching the gates. Barely had I 
crossed the threshhold of my own home before I found myself flat 
on the ground with Legolas grinning above me and asking all sorts 
of odd questions."

Legolas' blush sent the rest into laughter. All were in good spirits 
because of the wine; Aragorn having opened the second bottle of 
the night and offering it around. Elrond cleared his throat and lifted 
his glass.

"I believe, Lord Thranduil, that while I can accept Legolas being 
quite the entertaining bundle of energy; you have never had twins."

The twins were grinning now, Elrohir getting up to both stretch his 
legs and fetch the wine from Gimli. "You should have had Glorfindel 
come, Adar. Surely Elladan and I had caused him more grief than 
you."

Elrond chuckled, "Aye, that you did. But no, the tale I have in mind 
was when Glorfindel was off to escort Arwen to Lorien for that 
trip...oh...I believe it was six hundred years ago. You were both well 
past your majority."

"Oh..." Elladan started, the blush already forming.

Elrohir returned to his place refilling the three glasses before 
passing the wine to Eomer. "I think I remember that time..."

Eomer took the bottle, grinnig and filling his glass. "And pray tell, 
Lord  Elrond, what could these two magnificent warriors have ever 
done to warrant such reactions?"

Elrond grinned, "Already, these two had decided to use their 
similarities to confuse my household staff, making them mistake 
one for the other and other such mischief. During this time, I was in 
my study, transcribing an interesting tale from Doriath concerning 
the line of Oropher," Elrond gave a sly look to Thranduil; "when 
Erestor, an advisor, comes in to report that Elladan had gotten into 
trouble in the stables. On my way there to see what the matter was, 
a kitchen aid comes to tell me that a bag of flour was missing from 
the kitchens. Now, having had these two imps for over two millenia 
already, I should have obeyed my survival instincts and returned to 
work. Instead, I followed Erestor to the stables. As I open the main 
door, the missing flour 'mysteriously' fell on top of me. Of course, I 
later discovered that it had been meant for Erestor, something 
about being denied a before meal snack."

The group was sent into another round of laughter, the image of the 
proud Lore-Master covered in flour playing in their minds. A few 
more stories were passed around the group, Elrond had a few 
about Aragorn and the twins; Thranduil had another of Legolas' first 
archery practices with his elder brothers and how the eldest Prince, 
Rhiernil, made sure he stayed well away from the archery ranges 
now; Eomer told what he remembered of his childhood in Rohan, 
including his eagerness to ride causing him to break his arm at one 
point; Faramir had stories of himself and Boromir as they had 
grown up; and Gandalf had more than enough about all of the 
Hobbits. Only Gimli and Celeborn were spared.

It was well past midnight when the second bottle was completely 
emptied and none felt like searching for another. The Hobbits now 
had come together into one mass covered by one blanket by the 
table, Pippin still clutching a half-eaten apple. Eomer and Faramir 
were suppressing yawns, finally finding their own places to rest. 
Aragorn fought sleep, claiming wanting to see what was in the 
bundle Gimli had brought in with him from the forge. Gandalf still 
stayed in his place with his pipe, while the Elven-lords and Princes 
eagerly waited for Gimli to reveal his surprise.

The Dwarf grinned and walked over to Legolas, unwrapping the 
twin long knives, repaired to look like they had just been made. "I 
thought you might miss their services should you choose to 
wander. I've used the mithril I spoke of earlier to coat the edges; 
they should be sharper now. As well as nigh impossible to mar 
again."

Legolas gaped, "Thank you mellon. This is a great gift."

The Dwarf raised his chin at the compliment, "Use them wisely, 
Legolas."

The blonde Elf leaned forward to place a quick kiss on the Dwarf's 
brow in gratitude. Gimli blushed slightly, "Well, you may all think it 
very well and fine to sleep on the floor or in chairs, but my bones 
desire a soft bed and a fluffy pillow at the moment. I will see you all 
in the morning."

He was met with nods and left. Aragorn grabbed a few more 
blankets from a counter he had had prepared and passed them 
about the room. "While I know you three Lords, and our dear Istar, 
will most likely not require them, I would like to get some sleep 
while the night is still such."

Aragorn found a comfortable place and thanked the Valar for his 
days as a Ranger. Legolas was curled in Elladan's arms, his head 
pillowed on the elder twin's chest. Elrohir spooned against the 
blonde, creating a 'barrier' around Legolas with Elladan. The three 
slept easily, comforted by each other and the presence of their 
sires.

The three Elven-Lords continued their conversations quietly. Being 
joined by Gandalf soon before dawn.

***********************************************************************